The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-04-28

He passed two years in the study Of law,
and then entered o banking house at
Peterlead in the position Of an apprentice
to the business. In May. 1880, Mr.. Mitchell,
United States, and settled in Milwaukee,
then village Of about 200 inhabitants.
An Aberdeenshire man, possibly . relative,
George Smith by name, had come hither
six years before to represent the interests
Of the Scottish Illinois Land Investment
company, and, in the prosecution OF their
business had become thoroughly acquainted
with the wants of the Western country.
After some hesitation between Chicago
and Milwaukee, which were then towns OF
mise Of future growth, Mr.. Smith decided to
establish a banking house in Milwaukee,
and calling young Mitchell to his aid, the
two obtained from the territorial legisla-
ture Of Wisconsin charter authorizing
them to establish q company to insure
against fire and marine losses, to receive do
posits, issue certificates and lend money.
They began business as the Wisconsin Ma
rine and Fire Insurance company, and were
wonderfully successful from the start.
tinues at this time the largest in Wisconsin.
The story of his life, is the history of Mil
waukee, tho Chicago, Milwaukee and st.
Paul railway system, and to large extent
of Wisconsin, Iowa and Dakota. Railroad
construction was begun In Wisconsin In
dependentiy and all non-paying properties.
Through Mr.. Mitchell's efforts the bond
holders of the various jeopardized lines as
sOciated themselves together in corporate
capacity to protect the property and inn
prove 1t. The Milwaukee q st. Paul Rail-
way company was organized May s, 1852,
and in it were merged all the roads and
their branches, Mr.. Mitchell being elected
president. Gradually other lines in Wis
consin, Iowa and Minnesota were added,
Sptr
the Chicago Milwaukee & st. Paul railway.
To Mr.. Mitchell's fine Engagement, aided
by 3. s. Merrill and his associates, Is due
the success Of this vast railway enterprise.
Mr.. Mitchell was in politics first Wing,
then Republican and firm supporter Of
he supported Horatio Seymour, Democratic
candidate for president. Heran as q Demo
crat for congress in 1865 in the First Wis
consin District, but was defeated. In 1870
| he ran again and was elected, and reelected
| In 1872. At the national Democratic con-
| vention in 1876 he supported Tilden. In
| 1879 he declined the Democratic nomination
| for governor. He for years held many posi-
tions Of honor and trust. In religion he
was Presbyterian for some time: but lat.
| church, Milwaukee Mr.. Mitchell was mar
ried Oct Z, 1S4l, to Miss Martha Reed, the
daughter OF Seth Reed. one Of the pioneers
| OF Milwaukee, and of New England origin.
Six children were born TO them, but Nv of
these died in infancy-John L. Mitchell, the
survivor, being chairman Of the Democratic
| state central committee.
| In his personal life he was most un-
ostentacious, easy Of approach and simple
| in his habits Of life. With genuine Scotch
nature he always retained his love for
athlethic sports, and was q patron OF
curling and of the annual games Of the st.
| Andrews society. He was rather short
and heavy-set, with full face, with beard
around beneath his jaw entirely surround
ing the face. The maximum estimate upon
his estate is sl2,O00,0OO, though it may not
quite reach that sum, and the greater
amount thereof is in his bank property. and
real estate holdings.